IMPACT OF ARTISANS’ PROSOPOGRAPHY ON APPRENTICE INTEREST IN LEARNING-TRADE IN ONDO SOUTHERN SENATORIAT DISTRICT

Abstract

The paper examined the artisans' prosopography on apprentice interest in learning trade in the Ondo Southern Senatorial District. The study acknowledges the importance of artisans and their contributions to society, emphasising the need for recognition and support. The study employs a descriptive survey research design, targeting youth eligible for apprenticeship in the district. Convenient random sampling was used to select 100 respondents, and a self-structured questionnaire on a 4-point Likert scale was used for data collection. The test-retest reliability method was applied to ensure consistency in data collection and analysis. Findings revealed that artisans’ social value is nothing to write home about, as they are lightly esteemed because of their poor remuneration, daily income, low entry requirement, low literacy level, lack of financial support and ready alternative to school. These are some of the factors that enhance apprentice interest in learning a trade. Apprentices' interests are hindered by the low social value of artisans, the poor standard of living of master craftsmen, the poor social recognition of trainers, the poor social outfit/appearance and the attraction from other lucrative but not legal economic engagements. Based on the findings, it was   recommended that community leaders, political office holders, religious leaders, and NGOs should support vulnerable apprentices in cash and kind, all hands should be on deck to create awareness of viable career opportunities and foster a sense of pride in craftsmanship through neat and decent dressing, enhance productivity, endorse morally sound practices, and improve income prospects for artisans, as such encouraging youths' participation in learning trades.